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We Visited the Chinese City That Refused to Die 🇨🇳
Tangshan: China's Resilient City Reborn From Ashes
We had never heard of Tangshan — a city in northern China — until we came here. What we discovered changed how we see this country forever.
Once completely destroyed by one of the deadliest earthquakes in human history, Tangshan has rebuilt itself from the ashes. Today, it stands as a symbol of...
We had never heard of Tangshan — a city in northern China — until we came here. What we discovered changed how we see this country forever.
Once completely destroyed by one of the deadliest earthquakes in human history, Tangshan has rebuilt itself from the ashes. Today, it stands as a symbol of China’s strength, resilience, and hope.
In this video, we explore what Tangshan looks like today, meet the people who call it home, and uncover the incredible story of how this city refused to die.
September 2025 | Vlog 545 | Tangshan, China
Embark on a journey to Tangshan, a Chinese city that defied devastation. Witness its remarkable rebirth after a catastrophic earthquake, transforming from ruins into a testament of resilience and hope. This video unveils the modern face of Tangshan, introduces its vibrant community, and delves into the inspiring narrative of a city that refused to surrender.
We had never heard of Tangshan — a city in northern China — until we came here. What we discovered changed how we see this country forever.
Once completely destroyed by one of the deadliest earthquakes in human history, Tangshan has rebuilt itself from the ashes. Today, it stands as a symbol of China’s strength, resilience, and hope.
In this video, we explore what Tangshan looks like today, meet the people who call it home, and uncover the incredible story of how this city refused to die.
September 2025 | Vlog 545 | Tangshan, China
Ben and Rianna, the traveler known as Dridgers, kick off their exploration of Tangshan, a city they describe as a 'real working-class city' far from China's Instagrammable hotspots. They immediately notice the absence of a metro, a rarity for a Chinese city, and marvel at the swarm of tiny, tuk-tuk-like cars bustling through the streets. <br><br>Their first stop is the old-fashioned Shingi Pedestrian Street, a vibrant, gritty artery of local life. Unlike the polished malls of Beijing or Shanghai, this street is packed with street food vendors, including stinky tofu and an abundance of pastry shops with a distinct northern Chinese influence. An unexpected local interaction unfolds when a man on a motorbike rides up just to take a photo with them, highlighting the friendly, curious nature of the locals. A particularly heartwarming scene is a cat seller offering kittens for 100 yuan, a stark contrast to the hundreds of pounds they'd cost back in England, prompting a joke about needing a plane for all the cats they'd buy. <br><br>Their exploration leads them to the heart of Tangshan's modern identity: Wonder Plaza. Built after the devastating 1976 earthquake—one of the deadliest in history—this mall was the catalyst for the city's transformation from a disaster-stricken industrial town into a modern metropolis. Inside, they are flagged down by a fan who recognized their channel, a moment that reminds them how surreal their job has become. The mall also showcases the cutting-edge tech on offer, like a foldable Huawei phone that turns into a tablet, and Huawei's smart electric vehicles, a sign of the city's forward-looking spirit. <br><br>Evening falls, and the search for local flavor takes a turn. After enjoying a surprisingly good pint of stout at a local bar, the pair embark on a quest for a Tangshan specialty: donkey meat. Navigating the dark, cold streets, they finally find a stall and order a 'donkey burger.' The experience is a revelation; the meat, served in a flaky puff pastry, is moist and flavorful, reminiscent of salted pork. <br><br>The next morning, they visit the city's somber memorial. The earthquake of 1976, lasting only 16 seconds, killed an estimated 240,000 to 600,000 people and destroyed 85-90% of the city's homes. The memorial fountain, unfortunately under maintenance, features a clock that stopped at 3:42 AM, the exact time the quake struck. They reflect on the fragility of life and the powerful lessons travel teaches, contrasting this disaster with a successful evacuation in another Chinese city a year prior. <br><br>Their final leg involves a 4.5-hour bullet train journey to Jinan, a smart, futuristic city. The efficiency of the high-speed rail amazes them—from the hot water for tea and noodles to the impeccably cleaned toilets. The journey ends with a glimpse of their new, adult-friendly hotel, complete with a fruit platter and a promise to explore Jinan's AI-managed streets in the next video.
In Tangshan, a city flattened by one of history's deadliest earthquakes, they discovered resilience and everyday grit. From quirky street food stalls to a mall that sparked the city's rebirth, every corner told a story of survival. Their quest for donkey meat and a final bullet train ride into the futuristic smart city of Jinan capture the raw, unfiltered heart of China.
Exploring gritty Tangshan, Dridgers uncovers a city rebuilt after a devastating earthquake, from resilient locals and street food to a modern rebirth, before a
Exploring Tangshan China City Rebuilt After Devastating Earthquake
2:10 Explore local pedestrian streets for authentic, non-touristy food and culture. Tangshan's Shingi Street offers a unique, old-fashioned vibe with street food like stinky tofu and pastries.
11:13 Try local draft beer at small bars in Tangshan. You can find a surprisingly good stout for around 22 yuan, offering a taste of the local nightlife.
14:58 Donkey meat is a traditional Tangshan street food. Look for a 'donkey burger' from local vendors; it's served in a flaky pastry and tastes like moist, salted pork.
17:21 Visit the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial to understand the city's history. The monument shows the exact time of the 1976 quake, and the site was ground zero for the disaster.
23:30 Navigating a huge Chinese train station requires following security checks and ticket validation. Arrive early and use the paperless system with your passport to board the bullet train.
2:10 Explore local pedestrian streets for authentic, non-touristy food and culture. Tangshan's Shingi Street offers a unique, old-fashioned vibe with street food like stinky tofu and pastries.
11:13 Try local draft beer at small bars in Tangshan. You can find a surprisingly good stout for around 22 yuan, offering a taste of the local nightlife.
14:58 Donkey meat is a traditional Tangshan street food. Look for a 'donkey burger' from local vendors; it's served in a flaky pastry and tastes like moist, salted pork.
17:21 Visit the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial to understand the city's history. The monument shows the exact time of the 1976 quake, and the site was ground zero for the disaster.
23:30 Navigating a huge Chinese train station requires following security checks and ticket validation. Arrive early and use the paperless system with your passport to board the bullet train.
0:00 Arriving in Tangshan
2:10 Exploring Shingi Pedestrian Street
7:03 Visiting Wonder Plaza Mall
8:34 Getting Recognized by a Fan
11:13 Trying Stout at a Bar
14:58 Searching for Donkey Meat
17:21 Earthquake Memorial Visit
24:23 Boarding the Bullet Train
29:01 Arriving in Jinan
0:00 Arriving in Tangshan
2:10 Exploring Shingi Pedestrian Street
7:03 Visiting Wonder Plaza Mall
8:34 Getting Recognized by a Fan
11:13 Trying Stout at a Bar
14:58 Searching for Donkey Meat
17:21 Earthquake Memorial Visit
24:23 Boarding the Bullet Train
29:01 Arriving in Jinan
on tour with dridgers#otwdchina travel vlogtangshandonkey meatstreet foodhistoryearthquake memorialbullet train chinalocal experiencehidden gemWhat was the donkey meat like?
It was served in a flaky puff pastry, and the meat itself was very moist and flavorful, kind of like salted pork. I actually really liked it!
How big was the Tangshan earthquake?
It was one of the deadliest in history, lasting only 16 seconds. It killed between 240,000 and 600,000 people and destroyed 85-90% of the city's homes.
Is it common to find a city in China without a metro?
No, it's very rare. We've been to about 15 or 16 cities in China, and this is only the second one we've found without a metro system.
How do you buy a ticket for the bullet train?
It's completely paperless. You book everything through your passport number. Then at the station, you just scan your passport and go through security.
What is Wonder Plaza?
It's a mall in Tangshan, but it's super important. After the 1976 earthquake destroyed the city, building this mall was the turning point that started the city's modernization and rebirth.
